Argentina’s U-17 national football team won the 2025 L’Alcúdia International Football Tournament on Wednesday. The Albiceleste beat the Valencia CF U-20 squad 2-0 to claim the title, the fourth in its history.

It proved a very one-sided final. The team coached by former Argentina international Diego Placente showed intensity and a goal-scoring knack, hitting twice in the first half. Instituto (Córdoba) player Nicolás Zalazar scored the opener just 17 minutes in after Belgrano’s Ramiro Tulián darted past several defenders. Eight minutes later, Tulián once again led a speedy counterattackto set up Lanús player Thomás De Martis for the 2-0.

It wrapped up a solid tournament performance for Placente’s team. Argentina won all its games and conceded just one goal, when they had to come back from a 1-0 deficit against Valencia in the group stage.

Argentina claims back the title after the 2024 tournament, where it lost the final to Uruguay. The Albiceleste has now lifted the L’Alcúdia trophy for the fourth time in its history, after wins in 2012, 2018, and 2022.

The competition serves as the perfect preparation for the U-17 World Cup, set to be played in Qatar next November.

“We knew this tournament could help us prepare for what’s coming,” Placente said after the final. “That’s why we brought the U-17 team. It was a gamble, and the kids improved as the tournament progressed.”

What is the L’Alcúdia International Football Tournament?

The L’Alcúdia International Football Tournament is an international invitational football competition for youth teams, open to both international and club-level teams. Since 1984, it’s been held every year in L’Alcúdia, Spain. With its 2025 title, Argentina is now tied for second in the winners ranking together with the former USSR, trailing only Valencia CF, with six titles.

One of the most prestigious and relevant youth football tournaments around the world, it is a prime stage where some of the world’s most famous players first showcased their talents. Colombia’s James Rodríguez, Spain’s Iker Casillas, and Brazil’s Kaka rank among those who started making a name for themselves in the tournament. 

Lautaro Martínez is perhaps the most important Argentine to shine in L’Alcúdia: in 2016 he was named best player of the tournament and scored three goals. 

This tournament is also where Qatar 2022-winning coach Lionel Scaloni took his first steps as a head coach, having to replace national team coach Jorge Sampaoli in 2018. He went on to guide Argentina to the title, leading a team that featured the likes of current River Plate star Facundo Colidio and Argentina national team regular Leonardo Balerdi.